Half of England is under water and we missed out on a white Christmas so we weren't expecting snow any time soon. When Nico discovered that Bremen had had a white coating in our absence, I wasn't too worried, last time snow hit Germany hard Bremen was the last airport standing.
Yesterday, we poled up at Manchester airport in plenty of time, cleared check in and security in record time with an eighteen month old and enjoyed a last English breakfast before heading to the gate.
And then came the delays. Our boarding time kept jumping by fifteen minutes with no explanation. Luckily, the gate was fairly empty and we were flying at a decent time for a toddler. After two and a half hours, we were given refreshment vouchers although they were only available for those with seats (so technically the under twos can fend for themselves - good job Isabella is so friendly!).
With the vouchers, we were given the information that the plane hadn't even left Bremen yet due to bad weather.
A short time later we were informed that the plane was indeed on the way and we should be on board with a four hour delay. What a relief! We boarded with a sleeping kiddo who didn't stay that way long.
After a long game of musical seats (mummy, papa, mummy, papa, etc) we reached Bremen. They were still behind schedule and we were forced to circle...
...Not long after this announcement, the weather turned again and Bremen airport closed. We were diverted to Munster, a good two hour drive away. Joy.
On arrival in Munster we discovered that we had been sharing a flight with one of the rudest men I have ever met. Going through passport control, he proceeded to blame Germany, as a nation, for all his problems including the weather, the fact that he had to go through passport control and the fact that his continued journey would be by bus with the rest of the plebs. This was all communicated with excessive use of the f-word in front of several children. The only consolation was the broad northern accent who responded to his taxi instead of bus request with a 'there'll be a bike for you if you don't shut up mate'.
Just under an hour at Munster and a bus arrived. After some cheeky behaviour, we managed to secure two seats for the two hour drive. There was barely any snow until we reached the outskirts of Bremen and Isabella slept so it was relaxing.
Arriving at Bremen airport, I headed straight for the shuttle and hit the day's fitness requirement by de-icing the car. There was some very careful driving before we arrived home around 11pm (it was planned at 3pm). I have never been so happy to be home! Of course we were wide awake and up until two so a long lie in this morning. And so endeth the saga.
Moral of the story - there's always a hiccup or two with Ryanair and we have the best daughter in the world.
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